---
title: "Bernalillo County Mental Health Clinic Case Study: A Guide to Juvenile Detention Reform"
description: "Bernalillo County, New Mexico opened a mental health clinic to better address the needs of the juvenile justice population. This report examines how this County started by ensuring Medicaid eligibility for detained youth and then establishing a licensed free-standing community…"
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/juvenile-justice/bernalillo-county-mental-health-clinic-case-study-a-guide-to-juvenile-detention-reform/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: Juvenile Justice
tags:
  - Audience
  - Child welfare professionals
  - Exemplars
  - Report
---

# Bernalillo County Mental Health Clinic Case Study: A Guide to Juvenile Detention Reform

Bernalillo County, New Mexico opened a mental health clinic to better address the needs of the juvenile justice population. This report examines how this County started by ensuring Medicaid eligibility for detained youth and then establishing a licensed free-standing community mental health clinic adjacent to its detention facility.  Though costly and fraught with complexity, the clinic has proven a useful component in Bernalillo’s notable successes reducing detention populations and promoting success for court-involved youth. It offers a valuable case study for juvenile justice officials everywhere who are interested in improving mental health services for youth in their systems.

 

[Read More](https://www.aecf.org/resources/a-guide-to-juvenile-detention-reform-6)

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